AFTERLIFE - Advanced Filtration TEchnologies for the Recovery and Later conversIon of relevant Fractions from wastEwater

AFTERLIFE proposes a flexible, cost- and resource-efficient process framed in the zero-waste and circular economy approach for the recovery and valorization of the relevant fractions from wastewater. The first step of such process is an initial step consisting of a cascade of membrane filtration units for the separation of the total of solids in wastewater. Then, the concentrates recovered in each unit will be treated to obtain high-pure extracts and metabolites or, alternatively, to be converted into value-added biopolymers (polyhydroxyalkanoates). Moreover, the outflow of the process is an ultra-pure water stream that can be directly reused. The outcomes of the project will focus on:

• Demonstration of an integrated pilot using real wastewater from three water intensive food processing industries (fruit processing, cheese and sweets manufacturing)
• Demonstration of the applicability of the recovered compounds and the value added bioproducts in manufacturing environments

The design and optimization of the AFTERLIFE process following a holistic approach will contribute to improve performance and reduce the costs associated to wastewater treatment by maximizing the value of recovery.

The project will be coordinated in Italy, having 15 partners. It will last for 48 months, from the 1st of September 2017 to the 31st of August 2021. This project is funded through Bio-based Industries Joint Technology Initiative within Horizon 2020 for Research and Innovation under the grant agreement number 745737. Total cost of the project is 4 180 166, 38 €, with 3 890 593, 13 € of EU contribution. 

• AFTERLIFE Official website
• European Commission – CORDIS – AFTERLIFE